Branding oneself as the “Prince of Fashion” may appear a little ambitious without knowing first hand, about the storied adventures of Michael Barnett, or Mike B as he’s most commonly known. A man of the people, Mike B’s fashion excursions have taken him from communing with Dapper Dan in Harlem to yachts in St. Tropez, from moments in Mt. Vernon with Heavy D, to celebrations in Morocco with Donatella Versace. Style, for Michael is greater than any esoteric trend and transcends geographic regions. Mr. Barnett’s approach to fashion is democratic; as far as Mike B is concerned everybody has a right to express individual style. This unpretentious spectrum was recognized by fashion royalty, Mike B was knighted the “Prince of Fashion” by non other than the legendary Ralph Lauren.

Mike B honed his expertise during an era that didn’t recognize urban style as lifeblood of pop culture. As an understudy for Groovey Lew, the resident stylist for Sean “Puffy” Combs and Bad Boy Records, Mike B helped shape a culture that would become one of the most influential in fashion history, the marriage between Hip Hop and couture. Serving as the label’s head image curator from 1997 to 2005, Mike B helped sculpt the images of music icons, including The Notorious B.I.G, Mase, 112, and New Edition.

As his repertoire expanded, Mike B developed marketing savvy, and began to develop his independent portfolio. In 2001 he launched BOGARD Management and Consulting LLC, a boutique creative agency and style house. Mike B was tapped to serve as co-creative director for Sean John and was a core visionary behind the landmark “Be” and “Vote or Die” ad campaigns. BOGARD Management alongside friends Dao-Yi Chow and Maxwell Osbourne, also helped launch the high-end menswear brands Public School and Black Apple NYC.

Michael Barnett hails from Greenburgh, New York and credits his mélange of Jamaican, Cuban and New York ancestry with shaping his early style palette that he describes as “clean and classic, with a splash of street.” Fortunately for Mike B, because of the paths that he’s trail blazed there exists a unique demand for his patented blend.